The Teams: Tarleton State Texans (5-13, 2-7 WAC) vs. Abilene Christian (8-10, 4-5 WAC)
Where: Stephenville, Texas
Arena: Wisdom Gym (3,000)
Day and Time: Thursday at 7 p.m. CT
Streaming Platform: ESPN+ (Byron Anderson, Laura Sadler)
Radio: Tarleton Sports Network (Clayton Neville)
 
ABOUT THE MATCHUP

• This is the 53rd all-time matchup. ACU owns a 35-17 advantage, dating back to 1978. ACU has won four straight since Tarleton had went 9-1 in the previous 10, from 2009-22.
• ACU has lost three straight games, all on the road. They're 2-6 on the road and 6-3 at home.
• In the WAC standings, Tarleton is 10th and ACU sixth. In the WAC Resume Seeding System, Tarleton is 10th and ACU is seventh.
• These teams played two weeks ago in Abilene, with ACU taking it 73-51. ACU had seven fouls, leading to just four FTA for Tarleton. ACU outshot Tarleton .466 to .292 and outrebounded them 49-29.  

 
QUICK HITS

• The Texans have actually fared better on the road this year than at home, owning a 1-6 mark at Wisdom Gym and a 4-7 record in away games. The Texans have never had a season with more road wins than home wins. The last time they had the same amount was 1997-98.
• The Texans play at home four times over their next five games.
• With a win Thursday, Tarleton would win their second game in a three-game stretch. They last went 2-1 over a three-game span from Dec. 16-30.
• With a win Thursday, Tarleton could potentially move into a tie for seventh in the WAC standings with Utah Valley, Southern Utah and UTRGV. Eight is the cutoff for the WAC Tournament.
• When Tarleton's offense is clicking, it's resulted in wins. Across Tarleton's wins, they've averaged 77.8 PPG (46.9 field goal percentage, 35.1 three-point percentage). In losses, they've averaged 54.6 PPG (34.7 field goal percentage, 29.3 three-point percentage).
• The Texans own one of the top defenses in the WAC. They're third in scoring defense (65.5 PPG), fourth in opposing field goal percentage (.385) and second in opposing three-point percentage (.291). They also average the most blocks (4.3) in the WAC.
• When Tarleton outshoots their opponent, they're 5-5 this season, and 0-8 when getting outshot.
• Last time Tarleton and ACU matched up, Teresa Maggio led the Texans in scoring off the bench with a season-high 11 points on 4-5 shooting, 3-of-4 from three.

 
WHO'S HOT

• Jakoriah Long: Long has scored 10-plus points in three straight games, a tied-career-long stretch. In the span, she's averaged 15.3 points on 18-of-31 (.581) shooting, including 5-of-8 (.625) from distance, 4.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists. She's made a three in seven straight games.
• Miannah Little: In the last game, Little played a career-high 34 minutes and had her best scoring game since November, posting 10 points and five rebounds. It marked her third 10-pluis point game of the year, and her first since Nov. 29 vs. Stephen F. Austin.
• Teresa Da Silva: In the last game, Da Silva scored in double figures for the first time since Dec. 18, going for 13 points and three rebounds. It marked her 28th career 10-plus point game, and her eighth of the season. She's second on the team in scoring (9.1 PPG) and first in steals (0.9 SPG).

 
NUMBERS TO KNOW

• 5: Tarleton's opponent was whistled for just six fouls in the last game, sending the Texans TO THE FREE THROW LINE just five times. Against ACU two weeks ago, Tarleton State had a season-low four free throw attempts. They made all of their free throws in both games.
• 4: In Tarleton's games this season, the leader at halftime has typically won the game. The Texans are 4-1 WHEN LEADING AT HALFTIME this season, and 1-12 when trailing.
• 4: Four of Tarleton's five wins have come ON THE ROAD this season. Their four-win total is already tied for their second most in their Division I era, coming off of a year where the Texans went 1-12 away from home last season.
• 1: Keeping the Wildcats off the boards will be key for the Texans, as Abilene Christian is first in the conference in AVERAGE REBOUND MARGIN at plus-6.00. In ACU's win over Tarleton two weeks ago, the Wildcats outrebounded the Texans 49-29.

 
UP NEXT FOR TARLETON
The Texans will travel to east Texas for a rematch against the Ladyjacks. Tarleton and Stephen F. Austin matched up on Nov. 29, and after a close first three quarters, SFA prevailed 80-67. Saturday's game will be at 2 p.m. at William R. Johnson Coliseum in Nacogdoches, Texas.